The regular meeting of the Board
of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:30 am, on
Friday, September 13, 2002, at the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, South
Carolina. Notice of the date, time and
place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman Dr. Joab M. Lesesne presided at the
meeting. Board members present included
Dr. Julius Leary, Danny Ford, Ben Gregg, M. Russell Holliday, Jr., Malloy
McEachin and Dr. Douglas Rucker. Dr.
Paul A. Sandifer and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were
present at the meeting, as were various guests.

I. Call to
Order

Chairman
Lesesne called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the
meeting.

II. Meditation

Chairman Lesesne asked for a moment of silent
meditation.

III. Presentations

Chairman Lesesne
asked Dr. Jim Barker, President, Clemson University to come forward and
participate in the signing of the memorandum of agreement between DNR and
Clemson University. This MOA will renew
the research pact for science, academics and economic development that have
been served by a 50-year partnership between SC DNR and Clemson University.

IV. Items for Board Action

Santee
Coastal Reserve Management Plan

Derrell
Shipes thanked all colleagues involved in the development of this plan, which
took three-years. Mr. Shipes then
recognized Mark Robertson, of The Nature Conservancy, and asked for his
comments. Mr. Robertson spoke of the
cooperative effort of all parties involved. Mr. Robertson reported that the group has reached a consensus on this
management plan. At this time, Dr.
Leary made a motion that the Board approve the Santee Coastal Forest Reserve
Management Plan as presented. Ms.
Holliday seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Shipes requested that the Board give him
permission to bring the property management plan into compliance with the
forest management plan. The Board
informed Mr. Shipes that they would like to review the proposed changes to the
property management plan.

Mr. Chamblee introduced, Dr. James Timmerman, DNR
Director Emeritus, and asked him to address the Board. Dr. Timmerman’s comments were directed
toward the Jocassee Trust Fund and the proposed action item on the meeting
agenda. Dr. Timmerman noted that the
legislature cut the interest accrued from trust funds and transferred them in
the general fund. Dr. Timmerman noted
that the Jocassee Trust Fund is mostly comprised of individual donations and
was originally set up for only interest expenditures, with the principal being
retained. Dr. Timmerman asked the Board
and Dr. Sandifer to consider any other source of possible funding for the
action item.

Mr. Chamblee introduced Chip Sharpe, a retired DNR
employee, and asked him to address the Board. Mr. Sharpe’s comments were directed toward the current equipment
inventory of officers, specifically in Richland County. Mr. Sharpe expressed concern, at the August
meeting, that officers were not fully equipped. Mr. Sharpe noted that since that time, every officer in District
6 has a shotgun and GPS. Mr. Sharpe
also stated that he felt before new officers are hired, existing officers should
be properly equipped.

VII. Presentations Commendations

Dr.
Sandifer congratulated Captain John Watford on his graduation from the FBI
Academy at Quantico, Virginia.

Dr.
Sandifer congratulated Corp. Gene Morris on his selection to attend and participate
in the Ninth Annual TOP COPs Awards Ceremony held in New York City.

VIII. Items for Board
Action

Jocassee
Trust Fund Budget

Billy McTeer explained that the requests for expenditures
from the Jocassee Trust Fund are necessary for contractual work and supplies to
be used for the roads in the area. Mr.
McTeer asked Buford Mabry to review the legalities of expenditures from the
trust fund principal and interest. After some discussion, Dr. Sandifer asked the Board to allow him to
search for a source of funds to cover the necessary expenditures and as
interest accrues in the Jocassee Trust Fund account he will seek Board
authorization to use that interest to
cover as much of the expenditures as possible, up to the requested amount.

IX. Advisory
Committee Reports

A.
Marine

Mr. Gregg reported that the
Marine Advisory Committee received a report from Mike Able, Coastal
Conservation Association, spoke to the Committee regarding a legislative
proposal they are initiating that would give DNR some regulatory authority over
12 key recreational fish species. Diane
Lee gave the Committee a report on the license trends. Madilyn Fletcher and David Whitaker, on
behalf of the subcommittee, gave the Committee an update on the Blue Crab
Study. Mr. Gregg asked John Miglarese
to review the findings.

B.
Land,
Water and Conservation

Dr. Rucker
reported that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee received a
presentation from the Richland Conservation District on their activities. Hope Mizzell provided the Committee with an
update on the drought. A protocol has been developed with the State
of North Carolina, Alcoa and Carolina Power and Light to continue flows of 900
cubic feet per second into the Pee Dee from the North Carolina dams. There was much discussion about the
problem of wells drying up around the state. The committee passed a resolution requesting that the DNR Board urge
Congress to enact drought relief legislation. Dr. Rucker made a motion to this effect. Mr. Ford seconded the motion and the motion
carried unanimously.

C.
Law
Enforcement

Dr. Leary reported that the
Law Enforcement Advisory Committee received comments from the SC Trappers
Association and owners of fox enclosures. The Committee received a budget update, which outlined upcoming
cuts. Palmetto Pride and DNR have
signed a MOA for reporting litter violations through the OGT hotline. Dr. Leary noted that the Law Enforcement
Division is going through some reorganization. Dr. Leary reviewed some of the duties officers covered on September
11.

X.
Approval
of Minutes

Chairman
Lesesne asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the
August 16, 2002, meeting. There being
no corrections or additions Ms. Holliday made a motion that the minutes of the
August 16, 2002, meeting be approved as submitted. Dr. Leary seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

XI. Items
for Board Information

A.
Marketing
Initiative

Jim Goller reviewed the
outcome of the agency’s direct mail license renewal test. Mr. Goller reported that this went from
concept to final package in six weeks. Mr. Goller informed the Board of the steps taken in the development of
the form and the selection of names. The project was very successful as non-resident sales increased over
last year. It was indicated that all
South Carolina zip codes performed evenly, indicating no low response
areas. Mr. Goller then reviewed the
plans for 2003.

B.
GAP
Analysis

Jim Scurry explained that
SC GAP is part of a national program. This program began in the 1980’s and is used to determine areas where
there are gaps in the protection for high biodiversity. Mr. Scurry reviewed the three components of
GAP: vegetation, animal diversity and
land ownership. Mr. Scurry informed the
Board that this project was completed in December and has been sent to National
GAP and they are currently in the third revision.

C.
Drought
Status and Update

Freddy Vang reported to the
Board that South Carolina is currently in an extreme drought. Mr. Vang informed the Board that there is a
five-foot deficit since 1998. Mr. Vang noted that evaporation accounts for 70%
of what rain falls. Mr. Vang stated
that as of September 11, stream flows were at an all time low. Mr. Vang reported on the protocol between
South Carolina and North Carolina with regard to the Pee Dee River. Mr. Vang reported that the indications are
that more than likely there will be an increase in rainfall in the winter
months.

XII. Director’s
Briefings

Dr.
Sandifer informed the Board that Dr. Al Segars wrote DHEC with regard to the
West Nile Virus and an issue of concern that was raised at the last Board
meeting about the fact that along with mosquitoes, many beneficial
insects/animals may be negatively impacted in conjunction with intense mosquito
spraying/fogging. DHEC has responded
that they will continue to advise the local mosquito control to use a
scientifically sound integrated approach to control mosquitoes.

Dr.
Sandifer shared a letter from Rob Keck of the National Wild Turkey Federation
with the Board. This letter expressed
appreciation for NWTF/DNR partnership over the years.

Dr.
Sandifer participated in a joint retreat held on September 4-5 at the Webb
Center with staff from the USFWS including the Regional Director, Sam Hamilton,
from Atlanta. This retreat was held so
that staff from both agencies could get to know each other better and promote a
dialogue about important issues common to both agencies.

Dr.
Sandifer attended the organizational meeting of the Conservation Bank Board
held on September 6. After much
discussion, it was decided that for the short term the Department will provide
any necessary services and assistance as requested by the SC Conservation Bank
Board.

Dr.
Sandifer will attend the meeting of the International Association of Fish and
Wildlife Agencies being held September 17-21 in Montana.

Legislative
Report

Derrick
Meggie reported to the Board that they will be receiving the proposed 2003
legislative package within the next two weeks.

XIII. Deputy
Directors’ Reports

A. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Billy
McTeer noted the 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife
Associated Recreation brochure. This is
a comprehensive background completed every five years. This brochure is a preliminary report and
the final should be released soon. Mr.
McTeer also informed the Board about the poster recognizing SC Archeology
Month.

B. Law
Enforcement

Col.
Wright explained to the Board the process of issuing equipment to new
officers. Col. Wright informed the
Board that equipment bought with Water Recreation or Fish and Game funds stay
in the county where they were purchased.

At this time, the Board asked questions about the
DLEO policy and legislation.

The Board
then discussed how to respond to constituent comments. After much discussion, the Board decided to
receive constituent comments and have an appropriate response provided to the
Board and the subject may be discussed at the next meeting and this discussion
will be reflected in the minutes.

C. CEC
and Administrative Services

Carole
Collins reported that the Budget and Control Board will be meeting next
week. Ms. Collins stated that the
Department is prepared to take a 5% cut. Ms. Collins announced the merging of the Administrative Services IT
Section and the Land, Water and Conservation IT Section.

D.
Marine

John
Miglarese gave the Board an update on abandoned vessels.

Dr.
Lesesne asked the Board if they had any questions about the new telephone
system at the Marine Center or if everyone was satisfied with the response they
received. There were no questions.

E.
Land,
Water and Conservation

No further
report.

XIV. Executive
Session

At this
time Mr. Gregg made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to
discuss contractual, legal and personnel matters.

XV. Return
to Regular Session

The
Board returned to regular session and invited staff and guests to join the
meeting.

Mr.
McEachin made a motion that the Board adopt the letter of intent regarding the
mitigation of red-cockaded woodpeckers between DNR and Burroughs and Chapin as
stated in a draft letter that has been furnished to the Board. Mr. Gregg seconded the motion and the motion
carried unanimously.

Ms.
Holliday made a motion that the Board reappoint Ed Muckenfuss to the Wildlife
and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee. Dr. Leary seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Gregg
made a motion that the Board reappoint Terry LeCroy to the Law Enforcement
Advisory Committee. Ms. Holliday
seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Gregg
made a motion that the Bennett’s Point facility be officially named in honor of
a distinguished individual. Ms.
Holliday seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

XVI. Time and Location of the Next Meeting

Chairman
Lesesne stated that the next meeting of the DNR Board will be held on Friday,
October 18, 2002, in room 335 of the Dennis Building in Columbia, beginning at
9:30 a.m.

XVII. Adjournment

There
being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the
meeting was adjourned.